To a very great extent, a company or organization is just as good  as the person who is in charge of it. A company that is falling often has a weak person at the top, while a strong, successful company usually has a strong, successful person in charge.

A boss, whether he or she is in charge of a large firm or small department, then plays a very important role. What are some of the qualities that make for a good boss?

A really good boss must have the ability to get the most out of the workforce, making the members of it feel that they want to put as much effort into their work as possible. A good boss, also, must be firm and make sure that everyone in the company is pulling their weight. Sometimes this firmness means getting rid of lazy people.

A boss who is firm and gets the maximum amount of effort from workers will definitely be considered a good boss by the owners and shareholders of the firm. A boss with such an attitude is likely to cause a company to be profitable, which is what matters to shareholders. Shareholders will also, therefore, require a good boss to be a good businessman with a good head for figures and expertise in budgetary control. The quality of efficiency will be very important.

But what about the workers? What qualities do they look for in a good boss?  Worker who are very enthusiastic about their work and are concerned about the success of the firm will, like the shareholders, appreciate a boss who is strong and firm. Only workers who have no great interest in their work and who are looking for an easy life, will need a weak boss.

Most workers would also think that a god boss would be a fair one.  A good boss will treat all the firm’s employees in the same way without showing any favouritism to any of them, whatever his or her private feelings may be. If everyone feels that they are being treated equally, it creates harmony in the company and there are no feelings of resentment.

From the point of view of workers, a good boss, although he or she may be firm ad fair, should also be understanding and reasonable when the occasion demands it. For example, a good boss will show understanding if a good worker genuinely needs time off. The worker may be ill, whether physically or mentally or he or she may have suffered bereavement. Some bosses are too harsh towards their employees in such circumstances and assume that all workers who ask for time off are malingerers. (a person who pretends to be ill in order to avoid having to work)

It is also important, from the point of view of the workers, that a boss takes into consideration any circumstances that could be having a deleterious effect on the work of a previously hardworking employee. An unreasonable or uncaring boss might decide to get rid of the person without finding out what the problem is. An understanding one would investigate the situation and make allowances for any illness or personal problems which may have caused the deterioration in the standard of work. Stress is often a factor here.

Knowledge and experience are other qualities that many workers would look for in a good boss. They are much more likely to respect a person who has some understanding of the kind of work they do and the products they make.

Companies should try to appoint people whom workers, as well as shareholders, consider to be good bosses. Sadly, now-a-days, many of them appoint bosses who are only interested in the profit margin - and not in the work or workers.